New fundraising code set to come into effect

Charities are being urged to make their final preparations before a new code of practice goes live.

The updated Code of Fundraising Practice comes into effect on 1 October, four months after changes to the code were announced by the Fundraising Regulator.

Organisations have been asked to ensure their fundraising materials, training and policies are updated to reflect the standards in the new code, which is available online as a downloadable pdf.

The code contains the standards expected of all charitable fundraising organisations in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, as well as those based in those three countries who operate in Scotland.

This is the first major redraft of the code in almost a decade, following a consultation in autumn 2018. Improvements have been made to style, presentation, clarity and accessibility to make it easier for fundraisers, charities and third-party organisations to understand the standards expected of them when fundraising.

Any complaints will be considered against the version of the code in effect at the time of the incident. This means the new code will be used as the basis for making decisions about any concerns that take place from 1 October onwards.

Suzanne McCarthy, chair of the Fundraising Regulator’s standards committee, said: “We are delighted to announce that the new and improved code will soon be fully implemented.

“Since launching the new code back in June, fundraising organisations should have made significant progress on updating their fundraising materials to reflect the new code.

“By making the code easier to use and more accessible both online and in print, we have made it easier for charities and other fundraising organisations to meet their responsibilities to the public.”

TFN is published by the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations, Mansfield Traquair Centre, 15 Mansfield Place, Edinburgh, EH3 6BB. The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation. Registration number SC003558.